Yoga offers youth so much more than just an alternative option for exercise. It is also a vehicle for positive growth, providing young people with the tools that they need to confidently progress through life, says Heather Johnson, founder of Yoga Playground in Calgary.

“I look at yoga as a way to develop life skills,” she says. “Yoga extends into every aspect of life. There is very little that you do on the mat that you don’t do in life.”

Yoga is most often considered a physical practice of poses that builds strength and increases flexibility. But there is more to it than that.

Even in classes geared toward young people – classes that typically don’t incorporate Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, or elements of spirituality – students are guided to tap into the more subtle benefits of yoga.

These include better self-awareness, improved concentration on the present moment, relaxation and breathing for stress reduction.

Through physical postures, breath work and mindfulness, yoga teaches students practical skills that can be utilized outside the studio – such as taking a few deep breaths to calm the nerves before a big exam.

“That’s just one example of how students are able to apply yoga to everyday life,” says Cara Poppitt, founder of Soul Connexion in northwest Calgary, a comprehensive studio that introduces yoga to kids as young as two.

Johnson and Poppitt are both seeing an increased interest in yoga for kids and teenagers.

The women, both mothers, credit parents with the growing popularity of yoga for youth.

They say parents who have never tried yoga, but have heard about the benefits, are just as eager to sign their children up for class as parents who practise regularly.

Interest is also growing in yoga as it’s an appealing activity for kids who don’t consider themselves athletic or have no interest in participating in traditional sports such as soccer or football.

“It’s a non-competitive, physical activity that is accessible to everybody,” says Johnson.

That’s not to say yoga doesn’t present youth with a physical challenge. Classes are playful and feature age-appropriate postures that improve strength, flexibility and balance.

Classes also incorporate various props (such as straws and balloons for breathing exercises) and games (such as Yogi Says — a take on Simon Says).

Poppitt says the goal of yoga is to provide kids and teenagers with a lighthearted and joyful experience.

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